The infamous 'batterygate' saga is coming to an end as Apple agrees to pay some $113 million as a settlement for an alleged iPhone battery throttling that prompted a multi-state investigation.
Apple agrees to pay around $113 million to the District of Columbia and 34 other states as settlement for its alleged iPhone battery throttling, which many now refer to as 'batterygate.' Apple's purported act of downplaying widespread iPhone battery issues and 'iPhone battery throttling' in 2016 prompted dozens of states to launch an investigation into whether the Cupertino-based tech giant violated consumer protection laws. The settlement is on top of the almost $500 million that Apple paid to consumers over the 'batterygate' issue early this year, as well as millions more in fines in other parts of the world.
Apple agrees to pay $113 million to settle multi-state investigation into its slowing of older iPhones in an effort to preserve battery life https://t.co/oiraayD8NI — Post Business (@washpostbiz) November 18, 2020
In a brief of the multi-state investigation into 'batterygate,' the Attorneys General (AG) alleged Apple's act in concealing battery issues along with its decision to conduct 'iPhone battery throttling' caused the company to earn more profits from selling more iPhones to customers whose iPhone performance had slowed. At the time, reports reveal that an iOS version was causing old iPhones to unexpectedly shut down, and the update that is supposed to 'fix' the issue secretly throttled the devices' performance. A multi-state investigation, which ended in a $113 million settlement for the states, was launched after reports surfaced about such incidents as being deliberate attempts by Apple to boost the purchase of new iPhones.
According to Mark Brnovich, the state of Arizona's Attorney General, Apple was fully aware of the issue's scale as well as the flaws of its 'iPhone battery throttling' solution. AG Brnovich led the multistate investigation into the so-called 'batterygate.' The AGs alleged that the Cupertino tech giant broke several consumer protection laws, like Arizona's Consumer Fraud Act, when it "misrepresented and concealed information" as regards the battery problems of the iPhone, as well as the irreversible and undesirable consequences of the update the company issued to supposedly fix the problem. After years of making accusations and counter-accusations, Apple finally agreed to a $113 million settlement without admitting to any wrongdoing. The money will be split among the states.
Apple already paid around 25 million, or roughly $30 million, to France in fines for the same act of 'iPhone battery throttling,' which many refer to as 'batterygate.' As regards the company's $113 million settlement in several states in the US, reports say that the amount would have been higher if Apple is found liable of statutory penalties. Aside from Apple's $113 settlement, the company also agreed to "provide truthful information to consumers about iPhone battery health, performance and power management" in numerous methods.
